The SkillME Māori and Pasifika Trade Training initiative at
Waiariki aims to create accessible high-quality trades skills for Māori and
Pasifika students aged 16-40, backed by a high level of pastoral support.

One recipient of a 2015 SkillME scholarship, Ashlee Ashmore,
finished her Level 3 Certificate in Carpentry (Pre-employment) at the top of
her class.

“Getting a SkillME scholarship was pretty good, knowing that
I didn’t have to think about my fees that much. My parents were excited too.”

Ashlee says the secret to her success is a love of carpentry
borne from growing up helping her father build. She is now eyeing up the
possibility og travelling to Christchurch to help with the city’s post-earthquake
reconstruction.

“My dad is stoked with what I have achieved. To anyone else,
I say just come in and have a go. SkillME is great fun
and a good learning experience.”

SkillME kaiārahi Ray Poupouasa says he’s proud that his role
as a caretaker helps students advance themselves into new careers, and the programme’s
success comes from keeping the students’ support network close and engaged.

“I am an ex-Māori trade training carpentry student, so
personally, I’ve been there. The rewarding part is that the students qualify
themselves and that their whole family gets on board through our focus on
whanaungatanga. Not just mum, dad and koro, but their extended whānau and
friends.”

From helping with transport and accommodation if needed, to
arranging monthly BBQs with motivational speakers who have been there, done
that and succeeded, she says SkillME gives Māori and Pacific Island students opportunities
to progress and get through any hurdles that would otherwise stand in their
way.

“It ticks the box for me that we are getting programmes up
and running that will allow students them to give back to their own communities
in their own way,” she says. “We are actually building our people to be self-sufficient
and independent.”